The Keg - 2nd Review
23 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
The Keg was last reviewed by me on 12/22/2016. My review at that time was mixed with the service being good and the food review being mixed.
I returned to The Keg on 12/20/2021 and reviewed it again. In all honesty, I can't say I saw any improvement and if anything, it has gone downhill.
We were seated immediately and our waitress came over after a bit of time and gave her introduction. We informed her that this was a birthday celebration to which she gave a perfunctory nod and promptly forgot about it.
Companion and I ordered the garlic shrimp to start. It was served in an escargot dish and had more cheese than any other seasoning on it. On the plus side it arrived still sizzling on the plate.
We next both ordered the bone in rib steak, which is usually noted for its fine flavor and texture. The steak would pass as USDA grade good, but certainly not choice. The seasoning was spot on, mne was served blue, and not close to rare as I had ordered it.
We also ordered the cream corn for two, which had excellent flavor and a little spice from chile's. My personal preference would have been a thicker sauce or a bit less of it, however, that is my personal preference. Unfortunately, it came with the appetizer and had to be sent back to be remade for the main dish. I am not sure if it was actually remade or was reheated and served again.
My dish came with fresh vegetables, which unlike the last time I visited were a vast improvement in flavor and freshness.
Unfortunately, our waitress was in dire need of training. I had to call the manager over to clear the table because no one else would clear it. Our waitress came to our table and said she would get us refills, but it was late in the meal before they showed up.
Next was dessert, or lack thereof. Companion ordered the Billy Miner Pie, which is a signature dessert of The Keg chain. The waitress came back and told us that they were out of their signature dessert. I ordered carrot cake. The waitress came back and told us that they were out of carrot cake. In frustration, I asked what they did have and was offered creme brulee. The creme brulee was properly made, but would have been so much nicer with the addition of some berries as many high end restaurants serve theirs.Alas, no berries were to be found.
We asked for our check, and the first one to arrive was $159.00. When it was questioned, the waitress took it to the manager who took off the two desserts. Next, we reminded her that this was a birthday and back again to the manager to take off the cost of one dinner. After perusing the new bill, we found that the rib steak which is on the menu for $45.00 was marked up to $54.00. There was no notice on the menu or from the waitress that the price of the steak was higher even though it was on the menu at a lower price. Yet another trip to the manager reduced the price of the steaks to $45.00. Final bill was $87.56.
Dings - First and foremost our waitress Destiny should not be allowed to wait on customers. In all my years as a critic I have never had such poor service.
Second, the restaurant needs to find a new meat purveyor. Either they are trying to pass off lower grade steaks as high end, or the meat purveyor is not giving them what they think they are getting.
Cudos - Unlike many other steak houses they give you a real steak knife (not serrated) to cut your meat with. Unfortunately, the steak knife is placed on the butter plate and the butter knife is with the fork and spoon.
3 stars bordering on 2 stars
